​The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its concern and noted "interference in internal affairs" in the statement released by the U.S.

La Paz, March 28 (RHC)-- The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected a statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which calls for the release of former authorities of the de facto government.

Through a statement, the Bolivian Foreign Ministry expressed its concern "because these types of pronouncements are an unfortunate sign of interference in our internal affairs."

Blinken released the statement over the weekend, referring to alleged politicization of the legal system in Bolivia in light of the recent arrest and preventive detention of former officials of the previous coup government.  Blinken called for the release of former de facto president Jeanine Áñez and expressed concern about what he called "signs of anti-democratic behavior" in Bolivia.

The Bolivian government affirmed that Washington's position does not contribute to developing a relationship of mutual respect between both states.  The Foreign Ministry recalled that after "the rupture of the constitutional order" in November 2019, Bolivia recovered its democracy with the election of President Luis Arce on October 18, 2020 -- and "the full validity of constitutional rights and guarantees and those defined by international human rights law" was restored.

The Bolivian government emphasized that the statements by Blinken "violate the principle of non-interference provided in Article I, Number 2, of the Framework Agreement on Bilateral Relations of Mutual Respect and Collaboration signed between the United States of America and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, on November 7, 2011."

Bolivia reiterated its willingness to maintain and strengthen its friendly relations with the entire international community, based on respect for its sovereignty and self-determination.